Author’s note: This is a sequel to my story, ‘A Night to Remember’. I never planned to continue it but I got so much great feedback and so many requests to know what happened next. There will be, at least, one more story in this series and I promise that you won’t have to wait two months for it.

Swept Away

by Cathy

It’s been almost a week since the night I spent at Brian Kinney’s place. To look at me, you’d think I was the same person I was before. I manage to get through all those fucking boring everyday activities, like eating and sleeping and breathing. I’m the only one who knows that I’m not the same, and that I probably never will be again.

All I have to do is close my eyes and I’m back there. He’s touching me and kissing me…

And paying me, before he leaves me there, alone.

I tried to make myself not think about it, about him, but I didn’t seem to have any control over my brain anymore. If I was mentally ill, like my fucking sister, I might be in danger of doing something stupid, either to myself or someone else. I’m not ready to admit that I’m *that* pathetic - not yet, anyway.

Imagine my surprise when Larry called me, a week later, and told me I had a repeat customer. Brian Kinney wanted me to come back to his loft.

He asked that I come no earlier than ten. I knocked on his door at 10:01. ‘Right on time,’ was his only comment, as he stood back and let me walk in.

‘I always come when I’m supposed to.’ I thought a little humor would get us off to a good start.

‘Which is why you’re being paid.’ He didn’t look at me while he closed the door. ‘I assume it’s the same price as before.’

‘Actually…’ I took a step toward him, ‘I’d do you for free…’ I stood there with the proposition hanging in the air.

‘Wouldn’t that get you in trouble with your… boss?’ He stepped around me and moved gracefully to the kitchen. Grabbing a glass, he poured a large amount of Jim Beam into it. ‘Want some?’ I nodded and he set it on the counter. I walked quickly over to where he stood as he poured another drink and tossed it back. I took the luxury of staring at him as I sipped my drink. He looked to be a little high, or drunk, but not nearly as out of it as he’d been last week.

‘You’re right – I can’t go back without the cash,’ I admitted. Then I moved closer to him again. ‘All that means is that I have to make sure you get your money’s worth…’ As I finished the sentence, I set the glass down. He took one step backwards against the cabinet as I stroked his crotch with one hand and unbuttoned his shirt with the other. I flicked my tongue across his chest; he gasped when I located a nipple and teased it. At the same time, I was unzipping his jeans; in a flash, I was on my knees with that gorgeous, hard cock just in front of my face.

Without giving him a chance to think about it, I swallowed his dick and started sucking, hard. I could hear him moaning. He’d made very little noise last week and I took this to mean that he was getting more comfortable with me.

To tell you the truth, I wasn’t worrying about his comfort level at that minute. All I cared about was making it last as long as I could. He kept pulling my hair, trying to get me to go faster, but I resisted. I was going to try to take more control this time, and force him to enjoy it.

It didn’t take him long to come, despite my best efforts to go slow. As soon as he finished shooting, he moved away. It took me a few seconds to catch my breath; I stood up and followed him into the bedroom.

He was naked by the time I joined him; I was naked a few seconds later. I crawled onto the bed and sat, waiting for his command. He sat down beside me, lit a joint and offered me a hit. As we sat there together, I tried to think of something to say but nothing seemed appropriate. I wasn’t supposed to know about his reputation or the boy I saw him with that night on the street, so I couldn’t mention any of that. I couldn’t stop wondering what had happened to put him into the situation of paying for sex, but I certainly couldn’t ask about that either.

When we finished the joint, I turned over onto my stomach, anticipating his first request. He moved over on top of me quickly. I could still remember how it felt last week and I was breathing heavy, waiting on him to fuck me again.

He was inside me in less than a second. I closed my eyes and allowed him to move any way he wanted to. His mouth was on my neck, just like last week, but he wasn’t biting me as hard; he was almost kissing me and it felt good. A minute later, I realized that he’d grabbed my hand in his and our fingers were intertwined.

We did practically every position that we’d done the week before and it was amazing. Just like before. But it was different.

First of all, there were less drugs. We still did ‘e’ and pot and lots of liquor, but there was no coke this time. It wasn’t the lesser amount of chemicals that was the major difference, though. He still didn’t talk much except to tell me what he wanted me to do next, but his attitude seemed different. He didn’t seem pissed off or desperate, like last week. The sex was hard and intense but it didn’t seem angry as it had been. I even caught him smiling once or twice, when he didn’t know I was looking.

Along about daylight, I sensed that we were just about finished for the night. I didn’t say anything - it was his party and I was content to stay until he told me to leave.

I’d just finished blowing him for the second time; he got up and went to the kitchen, bringing back a couple of beers and handing me one.

‘Thanks, Brian…’ I said it without thinking

‘*What* did you call me?’

‘Brian. That’s your name, isn’t it?’

‘How do you know my name?’

He looked very serious and my mind raced for a suitable answer. ‘Shit, everybody knows who you are.’

‘What else does everybody know?’

I hesitated, not knowing what he wanted me to say. I decided to tell the truth. ‘Well, for one thing, that you can fuck anybody you want, and that you don’t have to pay for it.’ He didn’t say anything. He was looking away and I couldn’t see his face. ‘Look, I’m a pretty good listener - it’s almost a requirement for this job. If you ever need to talk about anything--’

‘And what, exactly, is it that I should need to talk about?’

I shrugged. ‘I get the feeling that you have some bad shit going on…’

‘What kind of shit?’

Now he was staring at me, like I’d said something wrong. ‘I don’t know. Everybody has shit. Alls I’m saying is sometimes it helps to talk about it--’

‘Thanks, but I don’t have anything to talk about.’ He turned away again and I could feel the temperature of the room drop by about thirty degrees.

I might be young, but I’m not fucking stupid. I could take a hint. ‘I-if we’re finished, I’ll be going…’ I paused, giving him a chance to say anything to stop me. I was dressed before he spoke.

‘Wait.’ I stopped three steps from the door. ‘Here.’ I turned in time to see him walking toward me. He held out a wad of folded money. There was a hundred dollar bill on the outside but I couldn’t tell how much more there was. I took it from him and stuffed it in my jeans pocket. ‘Aren’t you going to count it?’

I shook my head. ‘I trust you.’

He opened his mouth to answer me and then closed it again. He looked a little confused, like he didn’t know what to say.

Other than an inability to function, which has never happened to me, the thing I fear most in my job is an awkward moment. This had turned into a seriously awkward moment, and I couldn’t let it continue. I fished out a card from my jeans pocket. ‘Next time - if there *is* a next time,’ I held the card out to him, ‘here’s my personal cell phone number.’ He still didn’t answer so I continued, ‘Don’t call Larry…’ I hoped he’d get the message.

‘Is this allowed?’ He was looking at the card instead of at me. ‘I mean, do they let you turn tricks on the side?’

‘What they don’t know won’t hurt me.’ He didn’t laugh at my semi-joke; he didn’t even smile. ‘I-I don’t feel right, charging you. You’re - it’s too good, with you. I almost feel like *I* should be paying *you*.’

‘Almost… but not quite.’ When he finally looked at me, he was almost smiling.

‘Call me… any time.’ I hurried out the door before I could say something *really* stupid.

I counted the money as I walked down the stairs. Six hundred dollars, just like last time.

I have no idea why I didn’t just go home. I was pretty tired - sex with Brian Kinney is exhausting - but I wasn’t sleepy. The streets were empty at such an early hour on a Saturday. As I strolled down Liberty Avenue, I knew exactly where I was going.

As I walked into the Liberty Diner, I saw only three or four guys sitting at the counter. Like me, they looked as if they were on their way home from a late night.

I collapsed into the booth in the back corner and gave my order to the waiter. For some reason I was starving.

As I ate, I watched a couple more guys amble in. When the waiter came by to ask if I wanted any more coffee, I summoned up all my courage and asked him, ‘Do you have a guy named Justin working here?’ I was trying to sound nonchalant.

He thought for a few seconds. ‘Young? Blonde? Great ass?’ I nodded. ‘Yeah, but he’s not here right now.’ He looked around and then yelled across the room, ‘Deb, is Justin coming in today?’

The woman he was addressing was standing behind the counter, chatting with a couple of guys. I don’t know why I hadn’t noticed her before; she was hard to miss. She had bright red hair and wore too much make-up. I was trying to read what was written on her t-shirt when she yelled, ‘Who wants to know?’ My waiter stepped aside and pointed at me. She walked over to stand beside my booth. ‘He comes in early on the weekend, around eleven. Are you a friend of his?’

‘Not really. I’ve seen him around. Someone told me he worked here…’ I thought I was doing a good job of sounding casual, until I looked into the woman’s eyes. The way she stared down at me made me very uncomfortable.

‘Let me tell you one goddamn thing about Justin. He’s going through a really bad time right now. What he doesn’t need is someone who wants to fuck him just because they saw him dancing at Babylon--’

‘Hey!’ I held my hands out in front of my face, trying to fend off her verbal attack. ‘Who said anything about fucking him? I just wanted to say hello. Am I allowed to speak to him?’

She sat down and lowered her voice, but she still looked like she wanted to kick my ass. ‘Speak to him all you like but, remember--’

‘I know. He just broke up with his boyfriend, Brian Kinney.’

‘You know about that too?’ She nodded her head. ‘Yeah, I guess everyone knows about it by now. Were you at the Rage party? When it happened?’

I had no idea what she was talking about. ‘N-no, but I heard about it,’ I lied.

‘Well, then, you can appreciate how this has affected him.’ She dipped her head close to mine. ‘He’s pretending that he’s okay, but I know he’s hurting. What he needs now, more than anything, is a friend.’ She stood up again and started to walk off. ‘His shift is eleven until six or so,’ was said over her shoulder. With a wink, she disappeared behind the door to the kitchen.

*&*&*&*&*

I was back at the diner at five thirty. I’d managed to sleep most of the day and, when I woke up at four, I spent the next forty-five minutes trying to talk myself out of going back to the diner, without any luck. I dressed quickly and hurried back over to Liberty Avenue.

Even before I opened the door, I saw him. He was standing next to a booth, talking to a middle-aged man who was staring up at him. Jesus, I thought, he didn’t look this good when I saw him and Kinney that night. Did he? I almost bumped into the same red-haired waitress I’d talked to earlier. ‘Hey, baby,’ she greeted me with a cautious smile.

‘Hi,’ I read her nametag, ‘Debbie.’

I started to sit down at the counter but she ushered me to a booth. ‘What’ll you have?’ I ordered a cheeseburger and a Coke.

I was trying not to stare at Justin as he walked back and forth, but it wasn’t easy. He was, by far, the hottest guy there and everybody knew it. They all wanted to talk to him, to have him sit and visit for ‘just a minute’. He was cheerful and patient with everyone, but there was something odd about the way he looked. The smile that was plastered on his mouth never made it to his eyes. Was I the only person there who could see how sad he was? I don’t think it was because of what Debbie said to me earlier; I think I would have recognized his pain, if for no other reason than I’ve felt the same way myself.

As I watched him, I made up my mind to speak to him. What I would say, and when… Well, I wasn’t sure…

I was busy rehearsing lines when he brought my food to me. Setting it down quickly, he asked if I needed anything else. ‘Ketchup?’ I asked. He brought it and started to walk away. ‘Wait!’ I called.

He turned. ‘Yeah?’

‘I-I’m kinda new in town and,’ I ran my fingers through my hair, ‘I’m looking for a good place to get my hair cut…’ I was dying inside; this was the stupidest thing I could have thought to ask him.

‘That won’t totally screw it up?’ Either he really was polite, or he was doing a good job of pretending.

‘Yeah. I really like your hair - the way it’s cut.’

‘Thanks.’ He glanced at me. ‘I have to find another place myself.’

‘Why? Your hair looks great.’

‘The place I’ve been going to is too expensive. I can’t afford to go there any more.’ His smile faltered.

‘Could you give me the name anyway? I’d like to check it out.’

‘Justin!’ A voice called from the kitchen and he hurried away.

I was halfway finished with my burger when he walked back over to my booth. ‘Sorry. I didn’t mean to run off.’

‘That’s okay.’ I smiled up at him. ‘You’re working.’

‘I need a break.’ He sat down opposite me and grabbed a napkin out of the dispenser. ‘You were asking me for the address of Gregory’s salon.’ He scribbled something. ‘Ask for Robert - he’s the best.’

‘Thanks.’ He pushed the napkin across the table and I reached for it. Our fingers touched for an instant and I felt a spark. I think it startled both of us.

‘Sorry.’ He laughed nervously. ‘The air is very dry in here. Lots of static electricity.’

‘Don’t apologize.’ I smiled shyly. ‘Maybe it wasn’t all static electricity. Maybe we just throw off sparks when we touch.’

He continued smiling as my mind raced, trying to think of something clever to say next. In the meantime, he grabbed the napkin back and started marking on it with his pen. ‘You said you were new in town?’ I nodded. ‘Where are you from?’

‘Morgantown, West Virginia.’ I didn’t see any reason to lie about that.

‘Are you here in college?’ He glanced up intermittently as he continued writing on the napkin.

I nodded again. ‘Carnegie Mellon.’ It was the first school name I could think of.

‘My best friend from high school goes there.’ He was quiet for half-a-minute. ‘And I know someone who teaches there.’

‘What about you?’ I had become fascinated, watching him making marks on the napkin, when I realized that he was drawing. ‘Where do you go to college?’

‘Pittsburgh Institute of Fine Arts.’ He frowned. ‘If I can come up with the tuition next semester, that is.’

‘Don’t tell me, you’re an artist, right?’ He nodded. ‘Can I see what you’re drawing?’ He pushed the napkin back over and I picked it up, examining it. ‘Is this me?’ I smiled at the small portrait and then at my companion. ‘It’s very good.’

He shook his head. ‘I-I was just doodling - I do it without thinking about it sometimes.’ He had this sheepish little smile on his face.

‘Can I have it?’ I looked from the drawing to the artist.

‘Sure. It’s no big deal.’ He was fidgeting slightly, as if he didn’t know what to do with himself when he wasn’t drawing.

‘Yes, it *is* a big deal. I’ve never been sketched before… especially not by someone as gorgeous as you--’

‘Shut up!’ He tried to make a face, but all he managed to do was crinkle his nose, which made him look even more adorable. ‘I’m not gorgeous.’

‘The fuck you aren’t. Justin, you’re the hottest guy I’ve seen so far in Pittsburgh.’

In the midst of all the good vibes going on between us, he paused. His eyes narrowed and he looked at me suspiciously. ‘How do you know my name?’

‘It’s there,’ I pointed at the nametag on his chest, ‘on your shirt.’

‘Yeah,’ he laughed.

‘I can understand your caution,’ I continued. ‘I bet every queer between the age of sixteen and sixty is in here, trying to pick you up.’ Justin dipped his head; his face was beet red. ‘Okay, I’ll stop embarrassing you… On one condition.’

‘What?’ He glanced up.

‘That you go out with me-- Wait!’ Turning away, he stood up. I touched his hand again, hoping to cause another spark. Nothing happened this time. ‘Come on. You don’t belong in a place like this.’ He was looking down at me. ‘Let me take you someplace nice - your choice.’ I was taking encouragement from the fact that he hadn’t walked away. Yet.

When he sat back down, my heart jumped. ‘Listen--’

‘Justin!’ A short, dark, broody-looking young man had entered the door and was walking toward my booth. He looked to be a couple of years older than Justin is and he was staring at us.

‘Hey!’ Justin looked up, watching the guy advance on us, a weird look on his face. ‘You’re early.’

‘No. I’m right on time.’ He grabbed Justin’s wrist, forcing him to look at his watch. ‘I told you I’d be here at six.’ Without an invitation, he sat down next to the blond teenager. ‘Who’s this?’ He glanced at me.

‘I’m Jason,’ I said, dumbly.

‘He goes to Carnegie Mellon, with Daphne,’ Justin added.

‘What’s this?’ The dark-haired guy grabbed my napkin.

‘I-I’m looking for someone to do a portrait of my parents, for their anniversary next month…’

‘And Daphne told him you were an artist?’ Dark and broody thought he’d figured it out.

‘Yeah,’ Justin and I said the word at the same time.

‘You drew him,’ a glance at me, ‘so he could see how good you are.’ When he smiled, he looked creepy. He pushed the napkin back toward me. ‘Justin seems to have lost his manners, Jason.’ He held out his hand. ‘I’m Ethan. His boyfriend.’ The last word had been said very deliberately, as if he wanted to make sure I heard it.

‘Nice to meet you, Ethan.’ I looked from one face to the other. Ethan was smiling like the cat that swallowed the canary and Justin wouldn’t look at me. ‘I have several other artists I’m talking to, Justin. I’ll let you know when I’ve made my decision.’ I grabbed my napkin and the check and stood up.

Debbie was at the register to take my money. I gave her a twenty-dollar bill for a five-dollar meal and told her to give Justin the change. She leaned her head close to mine and spoke softly, ‘Don’t let their performance fool you, kid. He’s not happy.’

I glanced back over to see them kissing. I couldn’t see Justin’s face, but it didn’t matter. ‘Not my problem.’ I walked out the door.

I had just enough time to get a cab home and start dressing for my ‘date’. As much as I tried *not* to think about Justin, he was all I could think about. I don’t know what kind of person would live with Brian Kinney, and I certainly don’t know what kind of person would leave him, especially for a short guy with bad hair. Debbie didn’t have to tell me that Justin wasn’t happy - I could see that very well for myself.

I suspected she said what she said to get me to come back. But, why? Was I supposed to make Justin happy again? Could I? Maybe she’d meant what she said this morning about Justin needing a friend. I smiled at my reflection in the mirror. Friendship was the last thing I thought about when I looked at that beautiful face and hot little body. Still, I’d played roles before, and I’m pretty good at them.

*&*&*&*&*

Of course, I went back to the diner on Monday afternoon, at about four. I figured it wouldn’t be very busy then and I was hoping to avoid another encounter with Justin’s boyfriend.

Justin smiled when he saw me, motioning for me to sit in a booth next to the window. I couldn’t order a meal because I was going to Carlo’s for dinner; I asked for something sweet and he brought me a couple of lemon bars and a cup of coffee. I asked him if I could have a glass of milk instead. When he brought it, he sat down across from me. ‘Do you need another break?’

Smiling, he nodded. "If it’s okay with you.’

We sat for a couple of minutes, not saying anything. I seemed to have the same problem with Justin that I had with Brian: I wasn’t supposed to know all the things I knew about them, so I couldn’t mention any of it. It seemed that, the more I knew about him, the more I wanted to know. And I had to start somewhere. ‘I-I’m sorry about the other night. I didn’t mean to make your boyfriend jealous.’

Justin grimaced. ‘It wasn’t you - believe me. *Everyone* makes him jealous. When we’re apart, he wants to know what I did and who I talked to…’ He rubbed his hands through his hair. ‘I wish I knew what to do to get him to trust me…’

‘Maybe it’s not you he doesn’t trust.’ I tried to keep it light. ‘If you were my boyfriend…’ I stared at him. ‘I’d want to kill every other gay man in Pittsburgh.’

Justin blushed. ‘I knew, when we first met, that you wanted to fuck me.’ I must’ve looked shocked, because he smiled. ‘Does that sound arrogant?’

‘Only a little.’ I lied. It sounded a lot arrogant.

‘You’re young and blond. And cute,’ he added. ‘You must get your share of guys trying to pick you up.’

I shrugged. This was the time when I could confess that Justin was right, which was the main reason I’d ended up in my current job. In hell. ‘Did Ethan want to fuck you when he first met you? Is that why he’s so jealous?’

‘I was… living with someone else when we met." He looked away.

‘Ouch!’ The light bulb went on. ‘So… Ethie-baby was the other man?’ I couldn’t help smiling at that one.

‘It’s not funny!’ Despite the fact that he was trying to look serious, a tiny smile appeared.

‘I’m sorry,’ I confessed. ‘I could tell, when I first met you, that something was wrong. Do you regret leaving one man to live with the other one?’ He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. He shook his head absent-mindedly and I regretted bringing any of it up. ‘Listen, Justin,’ I said, quietly. ‘This is none of my business…’ The sadness in his eyes was breaking my heart. ‘Hey!’

He looked up, in confusion. ‘What?’

‘Remember the other night? Just before we were so rudely interrupted?’ I could tell he still didn’t know what I was talking about. ‘I asked you to have dinner with me.’

The serious look reappeared. ‘I-I don’ t know--’

‘Wait a minute!’ I leaned forward. ‘I admit that, when I first asked you out, it was because I wanted to… *you know*…’ He laughed. I love it when he laughs. ‘But I don’t want to put you through more shit than you’re already going through. I’d like for us to be friends - I can always use a friend and I think you could too.’

‘Friends are good,’ he said, blandly. "And I’d love to have dinner with you.’

"Okay… well, I… have plans tomorrow, but I’m free on Wednesday.’ I looked at him, expectantly.

"Wednesday is fine. I’ll be done here around eight. Do you wanna meet somewhere?’

‘Why don’t I meet you here? Then we can--’

‘Not a good idea, I’m afraid,’ he interrupted. ‘I never know when Ethan’s gonna show up.’

‘Oh. Okay.’ Something else occurred to me. ‘Won’t he worry when you don’t come home? What’re you gonna tell him?’

‘We don’t live together. I’ll just tell him I’m going to my Mom’s for dinner.’

Why didn’t this make me happy? ‘Are you sure you wanna do that?’

‘Do what?’ He was confused again.

‘Lie to your… whatever-he-is.’ Why was I trying to sabotage something that I took so much care to set up?

‘I told you how insecure he is.’ Justin seemed to be okay with what we were planning. ‘All I’m doing is having a meal with a friend. Right?’ There was that smile again.

‘Right.’ I was lost. I knew it.

‘Have you ever been to that little sandwich shop on Forbes Avenue, near the college? They have the best hot dogs.’

Of course, I had no idea what he was talking about. I wasn’t totally sure where Forbes Avenue was. ‘I’m not sure.’

‘Daph says everyone at CMU finds that place during orientation.’ He was looking at me expectantly.

‘Oh, *that* place. Yeah, I know it.’ I’d just have to find it before Wednesday.

‘Great. I’ll meet you there Wednesday. Around nine?’

‘Justin!’ We both looked over to see Debbie, the waitress, yelling across the room. ‘Would you like to join us for a little work? Unless fifteen minutes isn’t long enough for a break.’

‘I’ll be right there,’ he called. ‘Sorry.’ He crinkled his nose and I forgot what my name was.

‘It’s okay,’ I tried to sound casual. ‘You’re working.’

He was up and gone in a flash. I sat and watched him for a few minutes, before leaving. I had to get home and get ready to go out with Margaret or Linda or whatever-the-hell her name was.

*&*&*&*&*

I was at the Original Hot Dog Shop at eight on Wednesday night. It wasn’t nearly as hard to find as I’d feared. It had been a little tricky to talk Larry into giving me the night off but I’d managed. He had a hard time saying no to me when I really wanted something; besides, I hardly ever asked him for much. I think he was curious about what my plans were, but I wasn’t ready to let him know what was going on.

I was sitting so I could see the door, and I spotted Justin as he walked up the street. He had on a dark blue sweater and khaki jeans and he looked amazing. As I glanced down at my sweatshirt and faded jeans, I was wishing that I’d dressed up a little.

All my misgivings disappeared when Justin stepped inside and smiled at me. We were starving, so we ordered lots of unhealthy food and chatted easily while we ate. Nothing important was said but that was okay. Maybe we both needed an evening like this, I don’t know; it was great.

The crowd was thinning out and Justin looked at his watch. "Shit! It’s after eleven.’

‘I guess time really *does* fly when you’re having a good time, doesn’t it?’

‘Yeah.’ He stood up. ‘Do you have an early class tomorrow?’

‘Not too early,’ I lied. ‘What about you?’

‘I learned, a long time ago, not to sign up for the eight o’ clocks.’ We walked out the front door and down the street. ‘Do you live in a dorm?’ Justin looked up at the buildings.

‘No. I have a small apartment.’

‘On campus?’

‘No, not really.’ I watched him walk for several seconds. ‘Are you trying to get me to invite you to my place?’

He laughed. ‘No, I was just curious.’ We had meandered down the street and we were stopped at the corner. ‘This is my bus stop, but the next one isn’t due for a few minutes.’

‘Do you want some company while you wait?’ I sat down on the bench and looked up at him.

‘Sure.’ He sat down beside me. After a short silence, he spoke. ‘Jason, I think I need to apologize…’

‘For what?’

‘Well, when you asked me out, I was sure it was because you wanted to sleep with me…’

‘What makes you think I don’t?’

He laughed softly. ‘I mean tonight - that you’d try to get me into bed tonight. Thank you for not putting any pressure on me.’

‘Justin,’ I was fighting to find the exactly perfect words to say, ‘I find you incredibly attractive, I think you know that. But, you’re having a rough time right now. I told you, the other night, that I want to be your friend.’

‘So,’ a sly smile appeared on his face, ‘you’re not giving up on the ‘sex thing’, are you?’

‘No,’ I shook my head, ‘but I won’t mind taking it slow. Seducing you with my wit and charm.’ Both of us laughed at my mock-seriousness.

‘Can I tell you it’s already working?’

‘Good.’ But I was confused. Again. ‘What’s working?’

‘Your seduction.’ Before I could react, he leaned forward and kissed me, lightly, on the lips. His tongue invaded my mouth softly and I was lost. I don’t know how long the kiss lasted, but I’m sure I didn’t take a breath while it was happening.

Ring! Ring!

We both jumped back, reaching into our pockets. ‘It’s me.’ Justin put his phone up to his ear. ‘Hello? Hey! No, I’m not home yet. I’m waiting on the bus.’ He looked away. ‘No, I don’t think that would be a good idea.’ He paused, listening. ‘Ethan, it’s late. I’m gonna head home and go to bed.’ Another pause. ‘Yes, *alone*. He was shaking his head as he pushed the button and replaced the phone. ‘Sorry.’

‘That’s okay.’ I leaned forward, wanting to feel his mouth against mine again.

Ring! Ring!

This time it was my phone. I grabbed it and looked at the display, but I didn’t recognize the number. ‘I have to take this one.’ Justin nodded as he sat back. ‘This is Jason.’

‘Jason?’ There was a pause. ‘I didn’t know your name. This is Brian Kinney. Do you remember me?’

I felt like I’d been punched in the stomach. ‘Of course, I do.’

‘Good. You said I could call you, any time.’

‘Yeah, I did.’ I was hyper-aware that Justin could hear everything I said, which prevented me from giving anything other than monosyllabic answers.

‘Can I assume that you’re not alone?’ He was extremely perceptive. ‘Are you working?’ Okay, his perception was a little off.

‘Something like that.’ By now, Justin was looking at me strangely.

‘Okay, I won’t keep you--’

‘Wait!’ I glanced at Justin, who was now pretending that he wasn’t listening. ‘Why don’t you give me an hour and call me back?’

‘Sure.’ He sounded unconvinced. The next sound I heard was the click his phone made when he hung up.

I looked back at my companion, but his face was unreadable. "Justin, it’s not what you think. I’ve been trying to get into a study group and the guy…’ Even I had to admit that this sounded lame.

‘You don’t owe me an explanation, Jason. You can--’ He stopped talking when the bus pulled up. ‘This is my bus.’ He stood up. ‘I’ll see you later, okay?’

‘Yeah,’ I stood up and tried to reach out to him, but he moved away quickly. He never looked back as he boarded the bus. I watched it until it was out of sight.